The collaboration between Mark Ware and Prof Critchley (Brighton and Sussex Medical School/University of Sussex):

Mark Ware and Prof Critchley decided that the first stage of their collaboration should concentrate solely on investigations in natural versus artificial sounds (with the intention of exploring natural versus artificial light at a later date). In particular, they were interested in exploring whether or not there are inherent qualities in natural sounds that may be of benefit in terms of wellbeing and health and that may also contribute to the understanding and creation of certain types of time-based art.

Photo: Mark Ware

Mark supplied neuroscientists at the Sackler Centre with 100 audio recordings of natural and artificial sounds. Participants in the study were asked if they were able to identify the sounds, which allowed the neuroscientists to group a selection of the recordings into one the following four categories: ‘Natural Familiar’, ‘Natural Unfamiliar’, ‘Artificial Familiar’ and ‘Artificial Unfamiliar’. From this, Mark created four soundscapes, each exclusively featuring sounds from one of these categories. The neuroscientists then asked for participants’ preference responses, and measured their brain and body responses, to each of the soundscapes.

In addition, the participants were asked to complete a simple ‘mind wandering task’ whilst listening to each of the soundscapes, to see if response times when completing the task were affected by the sounds.

Brighton and Sussex Medical School published the following about the results of the investigation:

‘The gentle burbling of a brook, or the sound of the wind in the trees can physically change our mind and bodily systems, helping us to relax. New research explains how, for the first time.’

Photos: Mark Ware

‘The gentle burbling of a brook, or the sound of the wind in the trees can physically change our mind and bodily systems, helping us to relax. New research explains how, for the first time.

Researchers at BSMS found that playing ‘natural sounds’ affected the bodily systems that control the flight-or-fright and rest-digest autonomic nervous systems, with associated effects in the resting activity of the brain. While naturalistic sounds and ‘green’ environments have frequently been linked with promoting relaxation and wellbeing, until now there has been no scientific consensus as to how these effects come about. The study has been published in Scientific Reports.

The lead author, Dr Cassandra Gould van Praag said: “We are all familiar with the feeling of relaxation and ‘switching-off’ which comes from a walk in the countryside, and now we have evidence from the brain and the body which helps us understand this effect. This has been an exciting collaboration between artists and scientists, and it has produced results which may have a real-world impact, particularly for people who are experiencing high levels of stress.”

In collaboration with audio visual artist Mark Ware, the team at BSMS conducted an experiment where participants listened to sounds recorded from natural and artificial environments, while their brain activity was measured in an MRI scanner, and their autonomic nervous system activity was monitored via minute changes in heart rate. The team found that activity in the default mode network of the brain (a collection of areas which are active when we are resting) was different depending on the sounds playing in the background:

When listening to natural sounds, the brain connectivity reflected an outward-directed focus of attention; when listening to artificial sounds, the brain connectivity reflected an inward-directed focus of attention, similar to states observed in anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. There was also an increase in rest-digest nervous system activity (associated with relaxation of the body) when listening to natural compared with artificial sounds, and better performance in an external attentional monitoring task.

Interestingly, the amount of change in nervous system activity was dependant on the participants’ baseline state: Individuals who showed evidence of the greatest stress before starting the experiment showed the greatest bodily relaxation when listening to natural sounds, while those who were already relaxed in the brain scanner environment showed a slight increase in stress when listening to natural compared with artificial sounds.

The study of environmental exposure effects is of growing interest in physical and mental health settings, and greatly influences issues of public health and town planning. This research is first to present an integrated behavioural, physiological and brain exploration of this topic.

Artist Mark Ware commented: “Art-science collaborations can be problematic, often due to a lack of shared knowledge and language (scientific and artistic), but the team at BSMS has generously sought common ground, which has resulted in this exciting and successful outcome. We have plans to continue collaborating and I am keen to explore how the results of this work might be applied to the creation and understanding of time-based art (installations, multimedia performance, and film) for the benefit of people in terms of wellbeing and health.’ – BSMS

“Progress is made when crossing frontiers. Mark Ware’s vision of linking up-to-date research in neuroscience and circadian rhythms to artistic experiences with light and sound has vast potential in that respect. I am excited to see where this project leads us.” – Dr Oliver Angerer, Human Exploration Science Coordinator, European Space Agency (until August 1st 2014) Currently Team Leader Exploration at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne

The Wavelength Project’s collaboration with Stafforshire University’s Dr Nichola Street and Dr Gemma Hurst has resulted in an Arts Council England supported art/science national touring exhibition entitled, Reflecting Nature (2016/17). The Reflecting Nature exhibition contains 16 digital images that Mark created in consultation with Dr Street and Dr Hurst, that feature two things in particular that have been shown to trigger positive responses in the viewer: Symmetrical patterns and imagery of the natural environment. The psychologists were keen to see if an artistic intervention can result in increased positive responses to these two features, and to look at whether beauty really is in the eye of the beholder, and to explore what impact art can have on individual wellbeing.

As well as being able to enjoy the artworks, those attending the Reflecting Nature exhibition were also invited to contribute data to a scientific project being led by the University of Staffordshire psychologists that is designed to look at how we respond to artwork, and different environments. Members of the public took part during workshops using eye tracking equipment, and by performing specially designed response tasks. In addition, lab-based investigations were also conducted at Staffordshire University.

Dr Street says: “Most of my research to date has involved trying to unpick the things that contribute to aesthetic appreciation with a particular focus on complexity in visual scenes and fractal patterns (self-similar patterns commonly found in the natural environment). Trying to understand preference and experiences of beauty has long been the domain of artists and philosophers, but the field of empirical aesthetics takes a scientific stance from which to explore experimentally, responses to beauty. The creation and importance that art and beauty play in our daily lives has always interested me. Through the Reflecting Nature touring exhibition collaboration with Mark Ware, we are trying to achieve scientific engagement from the public on a topic that influences our everyday life – understanding beauty/visual preference.

“Psychologists have long known that the environment in which we spend time in is important, and that nature has particularly beneficial properties. The Reflecting Nature project aims to provide insights into the role individual differences play in aesthetic responses to natural and built environments. We are exploring how these responses can be enhanced and magnified using artistic outputs to provoke particular psychological states. The potential impact of the findings include dissemination of the ideas into immersive environments and design interventions that can be used to increase psychological states and stress recovery responses (making people feel better). These can be used in a number of environments in which immobility is high (hospitals, prisons, schools and even space travel). The project and collaboration are providing a unique and fantastic opportunity to make a difference to the lives of many.”

Reflecting Nature artworks Photo and artwork: Mark Ware

Most people believe that the natural environment is good for us in terms of wellbeing and health. The Wavelength Project has sought to provide scientific evidence to assess this belief, with artistic outcomes influenced by the results. In the long term, it aims to deliver results that may be of benefit to many people, including those who have experienced brain injury or suffer from disorders of consciousness. If, as Mark Ware and others believe, exposure to the natural environment is found to be beneficial to our conscious experience, this will support initiatives to protect, enhance and restore wildlife and our natural resources, on land and at sea. A vitally important outcome of the Wavelength Project has been to raise awareness of this need. In recognition of this important direction, Kent Wildlife Trust partnered with the project. Led by Stevie Rice, the Trust’s dynamic and innovative Head of People Engagement, Kent Wildlife Trust has advised theWavelength Project team on all issues concerning the natural environment and has collaborated on a variety of creative public engagement activities.

The Wavelength Project collaborations will inform the development and creation of a series of new future artistic outcomes, including original music compositions, multimedia performances, sound and light installations and creative workshops.

In order to secure the long-term potential of this art/science work and its benefit to the public, it was decided that a charity should be set up to represent its core objectives. The charity is called, Reflecting Nature in art & science.